War victims’ relative yet to get land plot promised 5 years ago

MEHTARLAM (Pajhwok): A war victims’relative in eastern Laghman province alleges he cannot take possession of a land plot promised by the government without paying bribes.

Abdullah Ahmadi, a resident of Badpash district, lost 10 members of his family to a US airstrike in Karoch area in July, 2008. Three of his neighbours were also killed in the attack.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Ahmadi says a wedding party was underway in their family when US forces rained down bombs on them.

His wife, mother-in-law, uncle, three cousins and four little girls of the family were killed and 18 others injured in the incident.A school clerk was also killed along with two sons.

Later on, the government paid 100,000 afghanis in compensation to relatives of each martyr and 50,000 afghanis to the injured apiece.Some NGOs also distributed food and other essential items to the victims’ families.

Such ruthless bombings have brought many Afghan families anguish and tragedy that cannot be alleviated by any amounts of recompense or donations, he remarks.

Ahmadi recalls the government’s promise to allot the victims’ families land plots.“I am tired of trying to get possession of my land plot. Everyday,I visit the municipality to askfor my right, but the relevant officers demand 20,000 afghanis in bribe.

“Since I cannot pay that amount, I have not been allotted my land plot so far,” the man regrets. Brazen corruption in some government departments desensitised the officers who cannot feel the pain of people like him.

While urging the government to eliminate corruption and help war victims’ families, Ahmadi says a woman and her son — members of his family — have also lost their legs in the bombardment. They are currently living in miserable conditions.

“I have referred the labour and social affairs department several times to issue disability documents to my family members, but the authorities have ignored my pleas over the past five years,” he concluded.

mds/mud

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